All Drill and Blast Tunnelling Works for Shatin to Central Link Completed

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1 Oct All Drill and Blast Tunnelling Works for Shatin to Central Link Completed With the concerted effort of the Shatin to Central Link (SCL) project team, the drill-andblast works of the overrun tunnel at Admiralty Station south were completed in June 07, two months ahead of schedule. This marks the completion of all drill-and-blast tunnelling works for the SCL, following earlier completion of the rail tunnel between Hin Keng Station and Ma Chai Hang in November 05. The 900-metre-long overrun tunnel at Admiralty Station will facilitate future SCL train regulation at Admiralty Station and is located up to 300 metres underground. As the tunnel is in close proximity to the South Island Line tunnel, the drill-and-blast works were required to be carried out in a prudent manner and close communications with the Operations team were maintained to avoid any impact on train service. Currently, waterproof membrane and tunnel lining installation works are in progress. Upon the commencement of the SCL North South Corridor, Admiralty Station will be the largest interchange station in Hong Kong s railway network, providing a more convenient transportation experience to the public. SCL drill-and-blast tunnelling works:.8 km rail tunnels Used 780 tonnes of explosives Carried out 77blasts Constructed Excavated approx. 40,000 cubic metres of rocks in total (equivalent to 68 standard swimming pools) Around 50 front-line workers to carry out drill-and-blast works What is an overrun tunnel? To learn more about overrun tunnels, please scan the QR code to watch the animation. This issue summary Cover Story Young Engineers Project Progress Construction Know-it-all Community Liaison

2 Young Engineers Foreword In the third quarter of 07, new milestones for the SCL project have been achieved in several districts in Hong Kong. The track-laying works of the Tai Wai to Hung Hom Section completed, which marks the full connection of the East West Corridor ; 6 pre-cast tunnel units of the cross-harbour rail tunnel in the Hung Hom to Admiralty Section have been successfully immersed, while the overrun tunnel construction at Admiralty Station was completed earlier than scheduled. With these promising achievements, we would like to thank the community for its support and understanding during construction and thank relevant government departments for their co-operation. Challenges are always encountered in construction works. Tackling the challenges requires the concerted efforts of the construction team, their accumulated experience and the use of new technologies. In order to facilitate future railway development, these valuable experiences and technologies should be passed onto the young generation. Hence, we encourage young engineers to take part in the SCL project, in particular those works with more specialised construction methods, i.e. immersed tube tunnel and drill-and-blast tunnel. On one hand, young engineers can gain valuable experiences, laying the foundation of their future development; on the other hand, we can help to nurture construction talents to ensure sustainable development of the construction industry. While gearing up our younger generation to embrace future challenges, our construction team also keeps striving to complete the construction of the SCL as scheduled for the betterment of the community with the new railway network. General Manager - SCL & Head of E&M Construction MTR Corporation Young Chat Rebecca Wong Responsible for the construction of Exhibition Station Jeff Chan Responsible for the immersed tube tunnel construction of the cross-harbour rail tunnel Donna Wai Responsible for the drill-andblast construction of the overrun tunnel at Admiralty Station Vargas Kwan Responsible for the tunnel boring of the rail tunnels between Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelter and Admiralty Station Q: Why do you pursue a career in Engineering sector? Rebecca: I have had a strong interest in Engineering since I was little. I would feel so proud when the infrastructure project that I have participated in can serve the general public. I would keep contributing to the community with my professional knowledge. Q: What s your most unforgettable experience? Jeff: I am happy to be taking part in the construction of the 4th cross-harbour rail tunnel in Hong Kong. I have gained a wide spectrum of knowledge in tunnel design, construction supervision and stakeholder engagement. To witness the immersion of the first pre-cast unit of immersed tube tunnel in the Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelter was a very remarkable and memorable moment for me. Donna: I was standing next to the shot firer to experience the blasting. I could hear the blasting sound and could feel its over pressure. Everyone would encourage each other and said Good Blast!, which moves me a lot with team spirit from top to bottom to perform our works in a safe manner. Q: What s your vision on future development of the industry? Vargas: I sincerely encourage more of the next generation to consider the Engineering sector as their first choice, so as to maintain the sustainability of the construction industry. For myself, I would like to pursue a future role in planning new railway projects for the betterment of the community.

3 Project Progress Rail Tunnel between Exhibition Station and Admiralty Station Tunnel Boring Machine Athena started her downtrack tunnel boring works in September 07, which is expected to be completed by the end of 07 Exhibition Station Construction Demolition of the former Harbour Road Sports Centre is completed for constructing Exhibition Station The construction of diaphragm walls for Exhibition Station is completed To facilitate station construction, pipe piling works are in progress, to be followed by excavation works Centr al Temporary Traffic Arrangement In Wan Chai North Statio n Implementation of temporary traffic arrangements continues on parts of Tonnochy Road, Convention Avenue, Fleming Road, Expo Drive East and Fenwick Pier Street. Directional signage and maps are posted up in the vicinity to notify the public. During large scale events and exhibitions, caring ambassadors have been deployed to provide assistance with the latest transportation information to the public. We would like to express our gratitude to the public for their understanding. Our project team and relevant government departments will continue monitoring the traffic conditions. Improvements will be made if deemed necessary. Cross-harbour Rail Tunnel Construction Admiralty Station South Overrun Tunnel Drill-and-blast tunnelling works are completed Installation of waterproof membrane and tunnel lining will be completed by the first quarter of 08 Exhibition Station Western Approach Tunnel Construction The excavation works of the western approach tunnel are in progress. Part of the excavated area reaches around 30 metres in depth The first pre-cast unit of the immersed tube tunnel was successfully immersed to the excavated trench at the seabed inside the Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelter in mid-07 The immersion of the pre-cast tunnel units to the excavated trench at seabed in Victoria Harbour continues

4 Construction Know-it-all Construction Know-it-all After the completion of drill-and-blast works, waterproof membrane will be installed along the tunnel. The design of the automated gantry used inside the SCL drill-and-blast tunnel has been improved to increase productivity. Design Features 3 3 Automated gantry Traditional gantry 3 The fully automated equipment with basket trolley can minimise the safety risk to workers climbing up and down during installation Gantry with customized radius for the tunnel occupies less room which allows more clearance for larger vehicles to pass through below, thus maintaining smooth access inside the tunnel Added hydraulic jack allows transverse movements of the gantry, which can increase its flexibility and improve productivity Behind the Blasting Works The hard work of shot firers is behind for every successful blast. They are the qualified professionals who are permitted to use explosives by the Mines Division. As of today, there are around 90 professionals who have obtained a Mine Blasting Certificate in Hong Kong. To obtain the certificate, the professionals are required to pass a rigorous assessment. The procedures of three respective attainments are as follows: A Through Structured Training. Completion of a shot firer training course. Application for authorization to use explosives 3. Obtains 6 months relevant field trainings and executes at least training blasts 4. Practical field test B Apprenticeship Training. Application for authorization to use explosives. Completion of months apprenticeship training with observation of at least 40 blasts 3. Written examination 4. An interview with the Superintendent of Mines 5. Practical field test Issuance of the Mine Blasting Certificate C Overseas Qualification. Obtain relevant licenses or permits certifying as a qualified shot firer in other jurisdiction. Submit statements on past blasting experience 3. Written examination 4. An interview with the Superintendent of Mines Shot firers are installing explosives and detonators at designated positions of the blasting face.

5 Community Liaison Latte Art Workshop Latte Art Workshops were organised in July for neighboring commercial buildings near Wan Chai North works sites, and around 60 tenants attended to learn latte art techniques. While tasting coffee made with their own latte art, the participants were also briefed on the latest information of the SCL project. SCL Wan Chai Temporary Footbridge Art Project The temporary footbridge across Convention Avenue in Wan Chai North has been transformed into an art gallery! Students from the Jockey Club Artspiration Academy (JCAA) created artworks of Wan Chai s special architecture through their use of colour and distinctive drawing techniques to show how the new blends with the old in the district. 8 artworks are being displayed on the temporary footbridge. Go check them out! Construction Manager of MTR Corporation Mr Walter Lam (st right) and Project Director of Leighton-China State Joint Venture Mr Brian Shepstone (4th left) take a group photo with representatives and students of JCAA in front of the artworks. The Jockey Club Artspiration Academy provides education and training in the arts for people with intellectual disabilities. Celebrating Mid-Autumn Festival with the elderly To celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival, volunteers from our project team and contractor visited the Wan Chai Methodist Centre for The Seniors on 7 September. 35 elderlies were briefed about the SCL project and had great fun while playing mini games. Community Liaison Groups New sessions of Community Liaison Groups meetings will be held in November 07 to provide the latest project progress to local stakeholders, and listen and respond to their opinions about the construction works in the vicinity. Meeting schedules and details can be found on the SCL project website at For enquiries, please call: MTR Projects Hotline Calls will be transferred to a voice mailbox when the line is busy or after business hours. Please leave your message and we will contact you as soon as possible. MTR Corporation Limited Office Hours Mondays to Fridays 8:30am - 6:00pm Saturdays 8:30am - :00pm SCL Website: